Up to a third of patients arriving at A&E should be diverted to on-site GP services, emergency doctors say today. Warning that “intolerable” pressure on A&E departments is putting patients at risk, the College of Emergency Medicine says a radical shake-up is needed in how urgent care is managed.

Failures of the new NHS 111 advice line have worsened pressure on hospitals, the College said. Yesterday a health minister admitted that the system had “a very disappointing start”.

Earl Howe said he was still worried about the service in the south west and south east coast.